Monday, June 21, 2010

Second for Puma Ocean Racing in Newport-Bermuda Race

[Source: Volvo Ocean Race] PUMA Ocean Racing Team powered by BERG Propulsion finished second in the Open Division of the Newport-Bermuda Race today.

The Volvo Open 70 il mostro crossed the finish line at 06:25 EDT less than three hours behind the 100 foot sloop Speedboat. On corrected time il mostro came second to the 90 foot Dubois Genuine Risk by a mere 13 minutes, with maxi Speedboat in third.

Ken Read was pleased with their race. "It was a light air race, which was just beautiful sailing but not too exciting. I don't think I ever put my foul weather gear on at all. But it was great for us as a team to get used to sailing together and compete against other boats, bigger boats. For instance Speedboat was great to go head-to-head with in light airs, upwind. I am happy with how we worked together and it's good to get some miles done, in proper competition mode."

Read and the crew will be making the most of Bermuda's hospitality. "We will be enjoying a restful day today, watch some World Cup matches and maybe fit in some golf before we leave on Tuesday night for a few days of training on the way back to Newport."

Plans are progressing well in Camp PUMA, in Newport, Rhode Island, with the team busy day-sailing il mostro and preparing for the 2011-12 Volvo Ocean Race.

"We will go back and have a short break till mid July," said Read. "Then we will get back to it, in earnest, ready for the next stage of the campaign."